Action Plan: Raise money to purchase a class set of laptops
Rational
At BFE High fundraising is key to achieving our primary goal for collection development in the school library media center. In order to increase the current collection’s print materials and technology and offer diverse resources and technology based curriculum, we must increase funding from that of current federal and state allocations.
Technology, specifically computer and Internet access, at BFE High is a weakness in our school’s curriculum. Also, BFE students belong to a community in which many families fall below the national poverty line. About 50% of our students and families are classified as economically disadvantaged and about 90% qualify for the school lunch assistance program. Many of our students, therefore, have no home access to computers or Internet; making BFE high their only exposure to technology, digital research strategies, and Web 2.0 applications. Our students are the technology disadvantaged in the digital divide.
In order to support our mission statement, which includes improving student’s information behaviors and lifestyle through technology, we need more computers. The goal of this action plan is to purchase a class set of notebook laptops, about eighteen, through fundraising. We will use two forms of fundraising, technology grants and a student community fundraising project. Applying for, and hopefully receiving, grants will provide the school with the primary funds for purchasing computers in relatively few steps. Student fundraising will increase student motivation and pride as they reap the benefits of their work and are involved in the process. The laptops will be used in library research lessons, during study periods and after school hours, and even in classroom lessons due to their mobility.
Technology and Internet access is integral to information literacy and an area of great student interest, therefore we are hopeful students will respond to community fundraising. As a year long project students will be asked to volunteer selling snacks after school. Snacks will be purchased in bulk from a local wholesale store and sold for either $.50 or $1.00 each. Profits will be tallied and announced each week and laptops will be purchased as funds become available. This project was chosen because profits are collected throughout the year as students and faculty purchase snacks at a markup above cost. Due to high school demographics students and families may not be willing to donate money in other one-shot fundraising efforts, but are more likely to purchase snacks throughout the school year. Essentially, with this project cost to students and community are kept low but span a longer time to raise funds.
Steps/Timeline/Responsibility
Step 1: Research snacks to be purchased from Costco. Choose approximately five snacks based on cost/profit ratio, student appeal, and health benefits. Estimate initial cost for purchasing first months supplies.
Timeline: May 2010
Responsibility: SLMS
Step 2: Research technology grants BFE high may be eligible. Narrow down grants to a manageable number based on deadlines and grant amounts. Review selections with principal for approval and suggestions. Contact district superintendant for suggestions and inquire about a district grant writer to assist in the applications. Finalize list and create a calendar to follow throughout the upcoming school year.
Timeline: May 2010
Responsibility: SLMS
Step 3: Research laptops. Compare cost of county purchased laptops and those through wholesale or online retail. Make a list of minimum laptop criteria for a future bid. Choose a laptop to quote in proposal and to represent the program to students.
Timeline: May 2010
Responsibility: SLMS
Step 4: Meet with principal to approve plan and snacks and edit based on suggestions. Present overhead cost to initiate fundraising and selected computer. Confirm locations and times for sales. Arrange for initial purchase of wholesale membership and snacks with school funding. Request approval for final grant selections and timeline.
Timeline: June 2010
Responsibility: SLMS
Step 5: Purchase snacks for first month of school. Store snacks in library workroom or closet space, away from students. Begin working on first grant application and submit to the principal for approval.
Timeline: August, 2010
Responsibility: SLMS
Step 6: Announce fundraising initiative to student body during beginning school year assembly. Motivate students to participate in sales by displaying laptops to be purchased. Offer a free snack per day for those students who volunteer to run sales, two students per day. Look towards students clubs, enrichment, and athletics to initiate participation and provide student volunteers.
Timeline: August 2010
Responsibility: SLMS
Step 7: Sell snacks throughout school year for about an hour after school. Keep snacks mobile by displaying them in a basket or Tupperware container and store additional snacks in library. During school day, allow students to come to the library during lunch and open library hours to purchase snacks. After school, move snacks to designated location on campus for students to control sales. Tally each day’s sales and track profits. Advertise snack sale in school newspaper and during announcements. Purchase replacement snacks from wholesale store as needed.
Timeline: August 2010 – Jun 2010
Responsibility: SLMS & volunteer students
Step 8: Continue submitting grant applications throughout school year based on approved timeline. Request approval from the school principal with each grant prior to submitting. Keep fingers crossed and celebrate any grants awarded to school with students and faculty.
Timeline: August 2010 – June 2010
Responsibility: SLMS
Step 9: Track sales throughout year. Announce profits each week and have a visual profit tally displayed in library as well. Use initial profits to purchase replacement snacks until profit margin increase enough to purchase a laptop. Celebrate reaching the first goal and make the laptop available to students. Repeat throughout year as funds become available.
Timeline: August 2010 – June 2010
Responsibility: SLMS
Step 10: After evaluating program effectiveness, continue snack sales and grant writing into future school years to cover replacement and repair costs.
Timeline: June 2010 – future school years
Responsibility: SLMS
Budget: $250.00
Grant writing cost takes the form of the librarian’s time, however little or no money is needed from the SLMC budget. To begin the snack sales program money will be used from the yearly school library budget. This money can be replaced as profits are made at the principal’s discretion. The school library media specialist can also look to local business to donate after school snacks and contact the local media to advertise snack donation to the community.
· Grant applications: cost of stationary and mailing if digital applications are not available.
· Snacks: Estimation is based on prices advertised through Amazon and a goal to sell 10 snacks per day throughout the school year. At 180 school days per year, our total student fundraising profit should be about $1550 (initial cost subtracted).
Evaluation
Evaluation of grant writing efforts will take place before and after each application by the principal and the SLMS. Each application should be written by the librarian and proofread by the principal prior to submitting. After funds have been awarded or denied, the principal and SLMS should evaluate each application to rewrite or develop new strategies for future grants. When money is awarded, the principal and SLMS should meet to arrange purchase of notebook laptops.
Evaluation of the student fund raising project is crucial and must take place after the first month. Though the initial start-up budget is not great, the project does present risks. If snacks are not being purchased, the school will loose money from the budget that could have gone to books. Therefore, throughout the first month purchases should be recorded so snack popularity and sales can be evaluated. If snacks are not selling, pricing should also be evaluated to be sure the cost is not greater than students are willing to spend. Location of afterschool sales should also be evaluated and possibly changed within the first month to increase sales. As a whole, this project must be evaluated by comparing snack cost and sale profits. This is the responsibility of the SLMS and must happen on a regular basis. If the program does not make money after initial snacks are sold then fundraising may be focused on grant writing or other opportunities. If sales drop throughout the year the program must be re-evaluated and changes, such as types of snacks and sale locations, must be made.
Action Plan: Raise money to purchase a class set of laptops
Rational
At BFE High fundraising is key to achieving our primary goal for collection development in the school library media center. In order to increase the current collection’s print materials and technology and offer diverse resources and technology based curriculum, we must increase funding from that of current federal and state allocations.
Technology, specifically computer and Internet access, at BFE High is a weakness in our school’s curriculum. Also, BFE students belong to a community in which many families fall below the national poverty line. About 50% of our students and families are classified as economically disadvantaged and about 90% qualify for the school lunch assistance program. Many of our students, therefore, have no home access to computers or Internet; making BFE high their only exposure to technology, digital research strategies, and Web 2.0 applications. Our students are the technology disadvantaged in the digital divide.
In order to support our mission statement, which includes improving student’s information behaviors and lifestyle through technology, we need more computers. The goal of this action plan is to purchase a class set of notebook laptops, about eighteen, through fundraising. We will use two forms of fundraising, technology grants and a student community fundraising project. Applying for, and hopefully receiving, grants will provide the school with the primary funds for purchasing computers in relatively few steps. Student fundraising will increase student motivation and pride as they reap the benefits of their work and are involved in the process. The laptops will be used in library research lessons, during study periods and after school hours, and even in classroom lessons due to their mobility.
Technology and Internet access is integral to information literacy and an area of great student interest, therefore we are hopeful students will respond to community fundraising. As a year long project students will be asked to volunteer selling snacks after school. Snacks will be purchased in bulk from a local wholesale store and sold for either $.50 or $1.00 each. Profits will be tallied and announced each week and laptops will be purchased as funds become available. This project was chosen because profits are collected throughout the year as students and faculty purchase snacks at a markup above cost. Due to high school demographics students and families may not be willing to donate money in other one-shot fundraising efforts, but are more likely to purchase snacks throughout the school year. Essentially, with this project cost to students and community are kept low but span a longer time to raise funds.
Steps/Timeline/Responsibility
Step 1: Research snacks to be purchased from Costco. Choose approximately five snacks based on cost/profit ratio, student appeal, and health benefits. Estimate initial cost for purchasing first months supplies.
Step 2: Research technology grants BFE high may be eligible. Narrow down grants to a manageable number based on deadlines and grant amounts. Review selections with principal for approval and suggestions. Contact district superintendant for suggestions and inquire about a district grant writer to assist in the applications. Finalize list and create a calendar to follow throughout the upcoming school year.
Step 3: Research laptops. Compare cost of county purchased laptops and those through wholesale or online retail. Make a list of minimum laptop criteria for a future bid. Choose a laptop to quote in proposal and to represent the program to students.
Step 4: Meet with principal to approve plan and snacks and edit based on suggestions. Present overhead cost to initiate fundraising and selected computer. Confirm locations and times for sales. Arrange for initial purchase of wholesale membership and snacks with school funding. Request approval for final grant selections and timeline.
Step 5: Purchase snacks for first month of school. Store snacks in library workroom or closet space, away from students. Begin working on first grant application and submit to the principal for approval.
Step 6: Announce fundraising initiative to student body during beginning school year assembly. Motivate students to participate in sales by displaying laptops to be purchased. Offer a free snack per day for those students who volunteer to run sales, two students per day. Look towards students clubs, enrichment, and athletics to initiate participation and provide student volunteers.
Step 7: Sell snacks throughout school year for about an hour after school. Keep snacks mobile by displaying them in a basket or Tupperware container and store additional snacks in library. During school day, allow students to come to the library during lunch and open library hours to purchase snacks. After school, move snacks to designated location on campus for students to control sales. Tally each day’s sales and track profits. Advertise snack sale in school newspaper and during announcements. Purchase replacement snacks from wholesale store as needed.
Step 8: Continue submitting grant applications throughout school year based on approved timeline. Request approval from the school principal with each grant prior to submitting. Keep fingers crossed and celebrate any grants awarded to school with students and faculty.
Step 9: Track sales throughout year. Announce profits each week and have a visual profit tally displayed in library as well. Use initial profits to purchase replacement snacks until profit margin increase enough to purchase a laptop. Celebrate reaching the first goal and make the laptop available to students. Repeat throughout year as funds become available.
Step 10: After evaluating program effectiveness, continue snack sales and grant writing into future school years to cover replacement and repair costs.
Budget: $250.00
Grant writing cost takes the form of the librarian’s time, however little or no money is needed from the SLMC budget. To begin the snack sales program money will be used from the yearly school library budget. This money can be replaced as profits are made at the principal’s discretion. The school library media specialist can also look to local business to donate after school snacks and contact the local media to advertise snack donation to the community.
· Grant applications: cost of stationary and mailing if digital applications are not available.
· Snacks: Estimation is based on prices advertised through Amazon and a goal to sell 10 snacks per day throughout the school year. At 180 school days per year, our total student fundraising profit should be about $1550 (initial cost subtracted).
Evaluation
Evaluation of grant writing efforts will take place before and after each application by the principal and the SLMS. Each application should be written by the librarian and proofread by the principal prior to submitting. After funds have been awarded or denied, the principal and SLMS should evaluate each application to rewrite or develop new strategies for future grants. When money is awarded, the principal and SLMS should meet to arrange purchase of notebook laptops.
Evaluation of the student fund raising project is crucial and must take place after the first month. Though the initial start-up budget is not great, the project does present risks. If snacks are not being purchased, the school will loose money from the budget that could have gone to books. Therefore, throughout the first month purchases should be recorded so snack popularity and sales can be evaluated. If snacks are not selling, pricing should also be evaluated to be sure the cost is not greater than students are willing to spend. Location of afterschool sales should also be evaluated and possibly changed within the first month to increase sales. As a whole, this project must be evaluated by comparing snack cost and sale profits. This is the responsibility of the SLMS and must happen on a regular basis. If the program does not make money after initial snacks are sold then fundraising may be focused on grant writing or other opportunities. If sales drop throughout the year the program must be re-evaluated and changes, such as types of snacks and sale locations, must be made.
Documentation